An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism · Martin Luther
HOW THE LORD'S SUPPER IS TO BE RECEIVED.
Those who come to the Lord's Table must prepare themselves to come _worthily_, if they would receive the benefits offered in this sacrament. [I Cor. 11:28+, II Cor. 13:5] FASTING AND BODILY PREPARATION ARE INDEED A GOOD EXTERNAL DISCIPLINE. Fasting before the Lord's Supper is not required. It may be practiced by those who desire to do so, if they do it in order to fit themselves for a more earnest participation in the Holy Supper, and not with the idea that fasting constitutes a merit, The true preparation for the Lord's Supper is not bodily, but spiritual. [Joel 2:13+] HE IS TRULY WORTHY AND WELL-PREPARED, WHO BELIEVES THESE WORDS, "GIVEN, AND FOR YOU, FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS." We are to come worthily, not in the sense of deserving, but of earnestly _desiring_ the benefits offered in the sacrament. We come worthily when we come with penitent and believing heart, [Ps. 51:17+, Matt. 11:28+] lamenting our sins, longing for forgiveness and for strength to do better, and believing the words spoken to us, "given and shed for _thee_ for the remission of sins."
THE CONFESSIONAL SERVICE. The administration of the Lord's Supper is always preceded by the service of confession and absolution, so that those who desire to come to the Lord's Table may prepare themselves to come worthily. At this service we make a public confession of our sins, of our faith in Christ our Saviour, and of our earnest determination by God's grace to lead a holy life. Since Christ has conferred upon the Church the Power of the Keys, saying, "Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted, unto them, and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained," [John 20:23] the minister uses this power and pronounces the absolution. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost he declares to all who truly repent and believe, the entire forgiveness of all their sins. On the other hand, to all who are impenitent and unbelieving he declares, that their sins are retained so long as they do not come to true repentance and faith. Our Church does not require private confession of sins to the pastor; but if any one is troubled in conscience, and desires to make confession to the minister and to obtain the comfort of an absolution pronounced specially upon him, there is provision for private confession and absolution. Such private confessions are regarded by every true pastor as sacredly confidential. (See the "Questions on Confession," which form one of the additions to the Five Principal Parts of the Catechism.)
QUESTIONS.--1. What are the benefits derived from the Lord's Supper? 2. Where are they pointed out? 3. How have these benefits been secured for us? 4. What assurance does each communicant receive? 5. Why has the Lord's Supper power to confer such benefits? 6. Does every communicant receive the benefits offered? 7. How is the Lord's Supper to be received? 8. What is to be said about fasting as a preparation? 9. What is the true preparation? 10. What is meant by receiving the Lord's Supper worthily? 11. Describe the confessional service? 12. What is to be said about private confession and absolution? SCRIPTURE VERSES.--I Cor. 11:29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. I Cor. 11:28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. Joel 2:13. And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Ps. 51:17. A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Matt. 11:28. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. READING.--The Wedding Garment, Matt. 22:1-14.
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